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If there is one thing that NetherRealm Studios knows, it is how to create a bone-cracking, appendix-rupturing fighter. The "Mortal Kombat" reboot in 2011 proved that they are still at the top of the fighting game; which is why it was exciting when they announced they would be tackling the DC Comics universe in "Injustice: Gods Among Us." Ed Boon and crew are promising a deep, involved story line to satisfy comics fans, but they still haven't answered the question on all our minds: Why would Earth's greatest heroes be duking it out "Mortal Kombat-"style?

Fortunately, DC Comics are helping answer some of these questions by releasing a brief mini-series which will detail the events pre-game that have led to this point. Despite its brief nature (oh, weekly comics, how you tease us!), "Injustice: Gods Among Us'" first issue starts off with a bang and keeps a nice pace of teasing and hinting.

The issue starts in current game-time, with Batman lamenting that Superman now governs the world with an iron fist (no pun intended) in his own fascist dictatorship. We then flash to the past, where Superman and Lois Lane share a playful encounter and we quickly learn why Superman may have gone a little nutso. The dialog between the couple is playful to the point of silly, but it's hard to not find it charming on some level.

We then learn Batman is visiting Metropolis, and the interaction between Batman and Superman is equally playful and far more satisfying. The thought of Bruce outwitting Superman and Superman coming back with his own surprise makes it all the more tragic when we see events later events unfold. Similar to the Black Library's "Horus Heresy" story arc, there's a depressing yet intriguing sadness that comes from watching details of the inevitable. Even from these brief pages, we can start to imagine why Superman is displeased with Batman. Now we just need to see how and why everyone else joins the anger party.

The story is written by Tom Taylor, whom I have always known for his work on Dark Horse's "Star Wars: Blood Ties" series, though he also has a DC history with Batman. The dialog, while it can lean toward the silly, moves quickly and smoothly for the most part, and it's clear Taylor has a story he wants to get out quickly; there are few throw-away or wasted lines here.

I'm personally a fan of Jheremy Raapack's art style and his work on the backgrounds really shines, especially in the opening pages, and character design itself is great. I appreciate when alternate universes establish themselves early on in a series with strong visuals.

Overall, it's hard to not recommend the first issue of "Injustice: Gods Among Us." Weighing in at a whopping $.99 for your iOS or Android device, it's a brief yet intriguing read that poses as many questions as it does hint at answers. Tom Taylor really helped this series get off on the right foot and it's difficult to see how the rest of the run can fail to live up to this promise.